CATA students rock Steampunk at prom

DOVER — The general image presented at a high school prom is one of gowns and tuxedos. This past season in the Seacoast upheld those expectations with one exception.

On Saturday night in Dover, students of the Cochecho Arts and Technology Academy held a Steampunk Prom.

For those unfamiliar, Steampunk is quasi-Victorian, science fiction alternative history.

CATA has been in Dover for 10 years and is a college preparatory public charter school, focusing on students with specialized interests in arts and technology.

“We, the prom committee, started several months ago brainstorming themes for our upcoming event. It was winnowed down to several, including a formal affair, perhaps roaring '20s and Steampunk. We submitted those alternatives to the student body and the creativity and uniqueness of Steampunk was the overwhelming winner,” explained Victoria Holmes of the committee.

The location of the prom was most appropriate, as the Orchard Street Chop Shop building was constructed in 1865, almost exactly halfway through the reign of Queen Victoria.

It was a sunny evening as some 50 students arrived. Some by Great Bay Limousine, some via personal transportation. Queuing up outside before formally entering were students in traditional tuxes (some male, some female), and some in ball gowns. However, self-designed garb was generally the rule of the day.

Seen was everything from 19th Century pirates, to those with formal wear conceived with links to the time of Queen Victoria.

“It took me 10 months to put this all together,” said Teresa Johnson of Barrington, resplendent in a black, floor length dress with an orchid cape.

“I call it Victorian Gothic,” said the senior who will be taking a gap year, noting her outfit consisted of “some thrift shop, some mall, and a necklace come from Shanghai. My cape and muff were made by my grandmother.”

Teresa was joined by her date, Lewis Clemente of Derry, who was attired all in black with an orchid necktie perfectly matching Teresa's ensemble.

With everything from sequined sneakers to Rachel Kaplan's Victoria Steampunk interpretation, the students defined who they were on this evening.

Mark and Laura Fournier of Rollinsford attended. “This is an outstanding school, a perfect fit for our daughter Abby Rose, who is enjoying the evening with her friends,” said Mark.

“She is looking forward to beginning at Berkeley College of Music in the fall,” commented Laura, “she actually will receive two high school diplomas, one from CATA and one from the New England Conservatory of Music Preparatory School.”

School Director James Friel was attending the event with his wife Ariel. “This is my first CATA prom, and this is a great bunch of kids, really enjoying themselves.”

Junior Brian Racicot of Newmarket and sophomore Phoenix Dow of Kingston were voted by the students as King and Queen of the prom for having the best costumes to fit the Victorian Steampunk theme.